A companion to the medicine chest; or, plain directions for the employment of the various medicines, etc. contained in it : with the properties and doses of such as are more generally used in domestic medicine; to which are added, a brief description of the symptoms and treatment of diseases directions for restoring suspended animation and various mechanical auxiliaries to medicine / By John Savory.

  • Savory, John.
Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A companion to the medicine chest; or, plain directions for the employment of the various medicines, etc. contained in it : with the properties and doses of such as are more generally used in domestic medicine; to which are added, a brief description of the symptoms and treatment of diseases directions for restoring suspended animation and various mechanical auxiliaries to medicine / By John Savory. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    repeated three or four times a-day. In large doses it acts as a violent poison. In cases accompanied with cramps, spasms, or convulsions, it may be combined with ipecacuanha, or James’s powder; or, if much languor be present, with serpentaria. Smoking the leaves, in the manner of tobacco, allays the pain of toothach, and the difficulty of breathing in asthma. In habitual costiveness it may be conjoined with cathartics, which it deprives partly of their irritating and griping quality with- out otherwise affecting their operation. Extract of Hops. — This is a bitter and anodyne extract, and a slight tonic. The dose is from five grains to one scruple, in the form of pills, or dissolved in any aqueous vehicle. Extract of Jalap — Is similar in its effects, but not pre- ferable to the powder, in doses of ten grains to one scruple. It is apt to gripe, unless triturated with soap, or made into an emulsion with almonds, gum Arabic, or sugar. Extract of Lettuce. — The narcotic properties of lettuce were very early known. Galen, who in the decline of life suffered from wakefulness, found much comfort in eating a lettuce in the evening ; and every one who has indulged in the same luxury must have experienced the soporific effects of this plant. It is given in doses of from five to ten grains, either alone or united with an equal quantity of squill pill, and is fre- quently serviceable in relieving the chronic cough of old and consumptive persons. Elaterium — Is one of the most powerful cathartics in the materia medica. Its efficacy in dropsies is considerable; it, however, requires very great caution in its exhibition. From the eighth to the half of a grain may be given at first, and re- peated at proper intervals until it operates. Extract of Logwood—Is considered a good astringent in the treatment of diarrhoea. It should be given in solution, in the following manner :— Take of Extract of Logwood, one scruple; Chalk Mixture, ten drachms ; Tincture of Cardamoms, one drachm. Mix, and make a draught, to be taken two or three times a-day.